NFC South

ATLANTA FALCONS

LE Patrick Kerney has emerged as an elite player because his excellent conditioning allows him to overwhelm opponents in the second half. Taking most of his snaps next to T ROd Coleman gives Kerney a powerful pass rusher to his right, but many of Kerney's plays late in games are coming on extra effort.... RG Kynan Forney does a nice job of keeping his pads low and his body weight distributed properly so that he gets leverage to beat bigger opponents. He also has restrained his temper, a problem in the first three years of his career. FIRST QUARTER GRADES: Offense: B. The rushing attack has been stellar, but the passing game has too many holes. Defense: B+. The club is stopping the run and sacking the quarterback but allowing a high completion percentage. Special teams: B+. Kickoff and punt coverage are exceptional; Jay Feely hasn't missed a field-goal attempt. Coaching: A-. Jim Mora raised expectations, and the Falcons are playing with a lot of confidence.--George Henry

CAROLINA PANTHERS

QB Jake Delhomme has struggled because injuries to RB Stephen Davis and WR Steve Smith have forced him to try to make plays on his own. Delhomme is a solid player but he's not capable of carrying a team. He needs more big plays from RB DeShaun Foster and WR Muhsin Muhammad.... To help compensate for problems on the line, the team sometimes lines up three players in the backfield. FB Brad Hoover and TE Kris Mangum or TE Mike Seidman have lined up in front of the tailback, one on each side of Delhomme. Both players are used as extra blockers, giving the line an extra push on running plays and helping RT Matt Willig, who is struggling in pass protection. FIRST QUARTER GRADES: Offense: D. A patchwork line and key injuries have hurt. Defense: D. Opponents are running with ease. Special teams: C, The return game is dismal, but P Todd Sauerbrun has been effective. Coaching: C. Super Bowl hangover has set in.--Pat Yasinskas

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Sedrick Hodge's return from a four-game suspension will bolster the linebacker unit. Hodge doesn't make a lot of big plays, but he rarely blows assignments and usually is in the right place at the right time. Though he lost his starting strongside job to dames Allen, Hodge is excellent in coverage and will upgrade the defense immediately in that area. He and rookie MLB Courtney Watson likely will play in nickel and dime packages.... WR Donte' Stallworth is off to the best start of his career. Stallworth (6-0, 200) has good size and explosive speed, which makes him dangerous on slant patterns and crossing routes. His hands can be unreliable, but he has improved as his confidence has grown. FIRST QUARTER GRADES: Offense: D. Too many mistakes and not enough touchdowns. Defense: C. The run defense is atrocious. Special teams: A. Return man Michael Lewis has rediscovered his old form. Coaching: C. The staff needs to hold mistake-prone players more accountable.--Jeff Duncan

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

The team is blitzing more this year because the line is not pressuring the quarterback as effectively. One reason for the lack of pressure is the play of RE Simeon Rice. Rice is one of the game's best pass rushers, but with DT Warren Sapp gone, he's facing a whole new array of blocking schemes and is struggling to solve them. Rice has only one sack, and the defense has six.... The loss of TE Rickey Dudley (thumb) is yet another blow to the ailing offense. Will Heller will get the bulk of Dudley's time, but he's more of a blocker than a pass catcher. Heller lacks Dudley's speed to get open down the seam.... With Charlie Gamer (knee) out for the season, Michael Pittman will get the bulk of the carries. FIRST QUARTER GRADES: Offense: D. It's older but not better. Defense: B. Erase the big plays and it gets an A. Special teams: C. The team's most improved unit but still only average. Coaching: F. Jon Gruden made many of the personnel calls that are affecting the team.--Roy Cummings

COPYRIGHT 2004 Sporting News Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning